LABOR CODE

CHAPTER 309. SELF-SUFFICIENCY FUND


	§ 309.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:                                  
		(1)  "Community-based organization" means a private 
nonprofit organization that is representative of a community or a 
significant segment of a community and that provides education, 
vocational education or rehabilitation, job training, or 
internship services or programs.  The term includes a neighborhood 
group or organization, community action agency, community 
development corporation, union-related organization, 
employer-related organization, faith-based organization, tribal 
government, or organization serving Native Americans.
		(2)  "Fund" means the self-sufficiency fund created 
under Section 309.002.  

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 126, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.           


	§ 309.002.  SELF-SUFFICIENCY FUND.  (a)  Subject to the 
availability of funds, the self-sufficiency fund is created as an 
account in the general revenue fund for use by public community and 
technical colleges, community-based organizations, and state 
extension agencies to develop for certain recipients of financial 
assistance under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, customized 
job-training programs in which the recipients will be provided job 
training by:
		(1)  an entity that develops a job-training program 
under this section;     
		(2)  a small or medium-sized business or trade union;  
or                   
		(3)  an informal partnership between an entity that 
develops a job-training program under this section and a small or 
medium-sized business network or consortium.
	(b)  Money from the fund may also be used for support 
services as necessary for participants to prepare for and 
participate in training activities and to make the transition from 
training activities to employment.
	(c)  The commission shall administer the fund.  The executive 
director, or a person appointed by the executive director who is 
knowledgeable in the administration of grants, is responsible for 
the distribution of money from the fund.
	(d)  To the greatest extent practicable, money from the fund 
shall be spent in all areas of the state.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 126, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.           


	§ 309.003.  JOB-TRAINING PROGRAMS.  (a)  A job-training 
program financed by the fund:
		(1)  must be specifically designed to:                                        
			(A)  ensure that participants meet applicable 
state and federal work requirements;
			(B)  enable participants to find and apply for 
existing jobs;  and         
			(C)  include the involvement of employers who 
provide assistance in setting curricula and standards for 
job-training programs developed with money from the fund and are 
committed to hiring graduates of the programs;  and
		(2)  is considered a work or employment activity for 
purposes of Section 31.012, Human Resources Code.
	(b)  An entity that receives money from the fund for a 
job-training program shall work in conjunction with employers to 
place graduates of the program in positions of employment in which 
the graduates will be earning wages sufficient to enable the 
graduates to become independent of financial assistance under 
Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, and if applicable, assistance 
provided under the food stamp program administered by the Texas 
Department of Human Services under Chapter 33, Human Resources 
Code.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 126, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.           


	§ 309.004.  RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.  The commission shall 
adopt rules to implement this chapter, including rules to determine 
which recipients of financial assistance under Chapter 31, Human 
Resources Code, are eligible to participate in job-training 
programs developed with money from the fund.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 126, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.